The Holidays with Bella

Bella, our dog will be celebrating her 14th Christmas with us this year.  I wonder how far back she can remember our holidays together.  I remember her as puppy, getting into everything!  I remember how hard it was to potty train her.  She was terribly cute and we probably let her get away with too many things.  She was the first dog I really ever owned and cared for.  Along with my husband, this was our first "child" that we cared for as a couple.  We had so many bad habits with her, like letting her sleep with us.  After she got bigger, it was harder to tell who's bed it was - hers or ours? 

I am so glad that our baby knows her.  For some reason, Bella never got attached to our eldest daughter who is now 7.  She lets the baby grab her, hug her, and kiss her.  It is too adorable.  I hope she stays healthy until the baby is older and can remember her more.

I know Bella's ultimate Christmas gift would be for us to allow her on the couch (or perhaps our bed again).  The problem is she has no boundaries and would likely take advantage of the situation.  I think I'll buy her a new comfy bed instead.  She's a great believer in good bones, so I'll probably get her some bones as well. 

I hope there are many more years with Bella, our first "child".

Pet Sitting Myths Barto, Bally, Boyertown, Bechtelsville, and Gilbertsville, PA

Great blog about pet sitting myths!

Pet Sitting Myths Barto, Bally, Boyertown, Bechtelsville, and Gilbertsville, PA

PAWS Walk

I'm surprised and over-joyed by the generousity of our pet sitting clients.  We were able to raise $240 in donations for PAWSWalk (PAWS in Lynnwood, WA).  This is the most donations we have received for any walk/organization since we have been in business.  Keep in mind that we began our business in 2001. 

I think that says a lot considering the economic conditions we are in.  I think pets in general target people's hearts.  Animals can only do so much for themselves in a human dominated world.  Especially small animals that have domesticated for the sheer purpose of being our companions.

The holiday season is fast approaching...unfortunately that means every organization that needs help is going to ask for help during this time-frame.  It seems that most people tend to be more generous during the holidays.  We have an annual drive for PAWs in Lynnwod, WA for items such as dog and cat food, bedding, and other pet-related items.  I hope that it will be as successful as the PAWSWalk!

Cat in a bookshelf

Here is my cat Katie.  Yes, she is in the bookshelf!  Lately she has found the darndest places to sleep.  I don't know if it's the heat that makes her seek out new places to sleep or perhaps the kids chasing her?  I envy her ability to literally sleep anywhere.  If only I could fit in the bookshelf and hope no one would notice.

Reflections

I remember the days when I would take my eldest daughter with me to visit Harry and Gus.  She was barely learning how to walk.  And they had to adjust their hyperness to such a small person.  The years have passed by and my daughter is now 7 and can now walk Gus on her own. 

My youngest daughter went on a walk with us and there was an instant flashback of my eldest.  My youngest is almost a year and is learning how to walk.  Gus towers over her.  Since he met my eldest daughter, his family has grown.  He has learned to deal with babies, since his owners had two of their own.  Harry is no longer with us, but Gus seems to be handling it well.

I don't want to fast forward to the day my youngest is walking the dogs instead of being towered by them.

We are very fortunate to be able to take our daughters with us to "work".  Yet on sunny days when our job is to take a dog out on a walk, it hardly seems like "work".

Summer heat - a dog's perspective

I wish pets could talk.  I wish my dog Bella could tell me if she's too hot to be outside or for that matter if she's too hot to be inside.  Does she need a fan?  Does she need more cool water?  A bath?  Hmm, I don't think she would say yes to that!  My dog hates baths.  She tolerates them, but would prefer never to have a bath again.

I think Bella would tell us to keep her bed cool.  She would want the sun beaming on her head only.  She likes to sun bathe but only if she doesn't move.  I wish I could lounge all day too.  What a life?  As the weather continues to creep up, I look forward to a summer of sunshine and heat.  I bet Bella looks forward to it too!

Take Your Dog To Work Day

First celebrated in 1999, Take Your Dog To Work Day was created to celebrate the great companions dogs make and to encourage their adoption from humane societies, animal shelters and breed rescue clubs. This annual event asks pet lovers to celebrate the humane-canine bond and promote pet adoption by encouraging their employers to support TYDTWDay by opening their workplace to employees’ four-legged friends on this one special day.

On Friday June 25, 2010, businesses, animal shelters and pet-care professionals from around the world will work together to better the lives of shelter dogs everywhere. Thousands of businesses will GO FURRY to promote pet adoption by opening their doors to employees’ furry, four-legged friends on this day in celebration of the great companions dogs make.

We encourage everyone to participate in this fantastic event!  If you cannot take your dog to work, help spread the word by encouraging others to adopt a pet.

We adopted one of our dogs from a shelter.  It felt so good to know that we had saved a dog.  In the end (after 12 wonderful years), we now know he saved us.  He was the missing piece of our family.